Tanca Tanca

Housing Glossary

You will find information here on all topics relating to housing in Barcelona

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Accrued interest

The interest applied as a penalisation when the debtor does not comply with repayment obligations. The amount must be established in the contract.

Active supermortgage

This allows the client to choose their loan's benchmark index (MIBOR at three months, six months or a year) so that payment can benefit from lower interest rates sooner.

Adaptable instalment

Characteristic of UCI superloans that allow the borrower to not pay one instalment a year for the first three years if there are problems due to holidays, extraordinary expenses, etc.

Advanced cancellation fee

A commission arising from the financial risk involved in the advanced cancellation of an operation. The applied commission compensates the financial institution for its financial losses.

AEDE

Direct state aid for paying the deposit on a property.

Affordable housing

Group of social housing or dwellings from social renovation projects that are sold or rented at below-market prices.

Affordable rent

The cost of renting these dwellings is below market prices after being included in operations concerning the rented flat pool, social renovation or social housing promotions.

Amortisation

Payment made to repay a loan.

Amortisation period

The duration of the loan. The contract establishes the date of the first and last payments. The longer the period, the lower the payments are, but the higher the interest. You therefore pay more in the end. The monthly instalment should not exceed 35% of your net income.

API

Estate agent. A qualified professional who acts as an intermediary between the two interested parties to facilitate the signing of a real estate contract, which can be a rental agreement, a sales agreement or another similar contract. They usually charge a percentage of the sales price as compensation or commission.

Applicant

A citizen who makes a registration application to the Barcelona Social Housing Applicants Registry, and who represents the other members of the dwelling unit included in the application.

APR

Annual Equivalent Rate. Effective annual cost of the mortgage in terms of interest, commissions and the repayment period. To compare loans, it is not enough to just look at the lowest APR, you also have to compare the conditions, the repayment period and the distribution of instalment payments.

Arbitri municipal de plusvàlua

Former denomination of the capital gains tax on landed property.

Assessment

The value of a dwelling certified by a specialised assessment company, in accordance with the mortgage market law. This certificate not only indicates the real value of the property, it also serves as a reference for obtaining the necessary financing.

Authorisation

Document in which the owner authorises the tenant to carry out building work in the dwelling's interior.

Close glossary

Housing offices only offer face-to-face assistance by prior appointment, so check out the “Housing calls you” service here to receive the most appropriate personalised assistance. If you also need assistance in energy rights, book an appointment with an energy-advice point (PAE) by clicking here. On the other hand, if you reside in an IMHAB public dwelling you can consult our contact, management and processing channels here.​

152 serviced apartments for senior citizens handed over at the Casernes de Sant Andreu

21/02/2025 - 19:33

Housing. The city now has a total of 28 serviced housing developments for the elderly.

The old Casernes de Sant Andreu site has now welcomed the residents of the new serviced housing development in C/ Antoni Santiburcio. In total there are 152 flats designed for people over 65 years of age who are autonomous in their daily lives and who until now either lacked housing or lived in inaccessible accommodation. With this addition, the city now has a total of 28 serviced housing developments for senior citizens.

The building is in C/ Antoni Santiburco, in front of the Mossos building, between Pg. Torras i Bages and the Parc d’Antoni Santiburco. Designed by the architect Josep Llinàs, the building has underground parking and a public facility which will house the Espai Jove Jaume Oller. Construction began in October 2020 and required a total investment of almost 11.7 million euros.

The flats are housed in four towers of varying heights and designs, featuring accessible lifts and shared spaces, including multipurpose rooms and activity areas. Residents also have access to services such as telecare, geriatric support and a concierge.

Of the 152 apartments, 38 have been reserved for residents of Sant Andreu de Palomar and the surrounding areas, while the remaining units have been allocated to the general housing pool. Six homes have also been specially adapted for residents with specific needs. Rental prices range from 358 to 394 euros, depending on each resident’s financial situation.

Two thousand serviced housing units for senior citizens by 2025

Barcelona’s serviced housing model for senior citizens offers protected rental homes that are adapted, accessible and professionally managed by the Municipal Institute of Social Services (IMSS).

With the 28th development in Casernes de Sant Andreu, a total of 1,778 homes of this kind have already been created. More projects are on the way, including 47 flats at the Espai Germanetes, due for completion this year, as well as another 83-home project in the neighbourhood of La Salut. The goal is to reach nearly 2,000 homes for senior citizens by 2025.